Chicago

We get up ok early Sunday morning and head to the airport which is just a five minute transfer from our hotel, today we are flying from Toronto to Chicago

The airport is quite busy even at 4am and there is a small queue for the self service check in terminals. We scan our passports, get our boarding passes and baggage tags and proceed to the drop of point which has a long queue and is very slow as other travellers don't seem to know what to do and there are only two other counter staff present, it takes a while to get rid of our bags.

Then we join another long queue for immigration as this is not open yet either. When it does open and as we have been into America already we are directed to the self service terminals to do this. It takes me a little while to get the system to work as it doesn't at first recognise my scanned finger prints, a security lady comes over and help me out. After you have answered all questions it prints out a piece of paper with your picture on it and then you still have to go to another queue to wait to be seen by security and have all your details checked by immigration.

After a few questions I go through but Andrew is getting asked lots of questions and is held up as he has a Syrian stamp in his passport from years ago. I notice the security guy going backwards and forwards asking others questions but with no idea why.

I wait just by the immigration kiosk but am told to continue on through and can wait in the lounge area. The problem with that is I have no idea that is going on and can no longer see Andrew. Its not too long and Andrew appears, they just asked him a few questions then let him through. Well at least that is all done at this end so when we get to Chicago we wouldn't need to go through immigration or passport control again.

We are flying with Air Canada again today and our seats were automatically allocated to us so we are sitting separately one behind the other and both have a window seat. As it's a day flight we both can get a great view as we take off and land. This time the seats are wider and we have more leg room, better than the last one but it's not a long journey today only one hour forty minutes. We arrive on time and go straight through the airport no checks required and find the train that will take us right into the city and to the area where our hotel is in Diversey.

At the airport train station we buy a 3 day travel pass that can be used on all routes throughout the city. It a good three quarters of a hour trip on the train from airport to our stop on the edge of the city.

As we have arrived early we see if we can check in but unfortunately our room is not ready, check out for the existing guests is 12 midday and check in for new guests would normally be 3pm. We had requested an early check in but the hotel did say they couldn't guarantee it, however we can leave our bags and go exploring and try later as the hotel receptionist tells us they will endeavour to get our room sorted as soon as possible.

We leave our bags and head out, the skies are looking a little grey and a storm had been predicted so we head for a coffee and something to eat at Starbucks just across the road. As we sit there the heavens open and it pours down, the road is flooded and running like a river, just as well we didn't go to far.

After about half an hour the rain stops and the sun comes back out so we head off down the street towards the the park and have a walk along the shore line of Lake Michigan and the marina then continue our walk taking a circular route back to our hotel.

By now it is nearly 1pm and we have been up since 3am so are hoping the room is now free, we go back to hotel reception but it's still not ready, we sit in the lobby for a while and luckily within half an hour the room is sorted and we are in.

Andrew is feeling a little tired but I'm not too bad so leave him to have a nap and I go and do some laundry and finish off the last blog.

The laundry room has only one washing machine and one tumble dryer but luckily as I arrive the person there has just finished using the washing machine so I can start with that, then when that is done the tumble dryer becomes free so the washing goes straight in when ready and is all washed, clean and dry in just over an hour and a half.

Its now the evening so we freshen up before heading out to explore the immediate area and to find some food. We have been told to go and check out a place called Sidetrack which is a pub with 3 floors.

We find it with no problem and on entering are asked for I.D. The pub turns out to be huge with about 7 bars on different levels, a few outside terrace areas and a great roof terrace at the top. The place is packed and buzzing.

We get a drink and have a walk round and end up downstairs where in one of the rooms there is a large video screen and they are playing songs from the movies. The place has a great atmosphere so we stay for a while and enjoy the show. Later on we head for a burger and then back to our hotel to get some rest.

Day 2

Today we are off into the main city to explore so get on the train just up the street from our hotel. As we bought a three day pass we can use it to go into the city and hop on and off as we like.

Its a great way to get around and into the main city. The train lines for this route are all overground and are constructed above the road and between the buildings on metal gantries so you get a great view of the city from lots of different angles as you travel the route.

We end up in the heart of the city and have a walk along the river walk area which gives you great views of the Skyscrapers and a good view along the waters edge.

From here we head along the waterfront to Columbia Yacht Club which has a lovely marina area and then through the park and over an unusual bridge which is curved and cladded in brushed stainless steal.

This bridge is known as the B P bridge which takes you over the main highway into Millenium Park where there is a large outdoor arena which can hold 11,000 people.

There are many lovely planted up garden areas, one with a stream in it for people to paddle in, the Arts Institute of Chicago, the Boeing Gallery which has sculptures made from pieces of old tryes, the Crown Fountains which are two 50 foot tall glass towers with water cascading down then and on one side have moving multi media images projected onto them

Further on through the park you come to an amazing oval stainless steel sculpture called Cloud Gate which is the largest sculpture of its kind in the world measuring 66 feet long and 33 feet tall with a 12 foot high opening in it so you can walk through the middle. The surface is highly polished so you get amazing reflections off it.

We then head to the Buckingham Fountain which is said to have the tallest jet of water reaching 150 feet into the air.

From here we head back into the city area to look at more of the buildings and enjoy the architecture, one of these being Union Station.

We eventually catch the train back to our hotel and relax for a while before freshening up and going out for our evening meal.

Day 3

Today we have decided to go on a river cruise in the middle of the city which is run by Chicago Architecture Foundation.

Its a great way to see the city and you are given a running commentary by one of the volunteer guides that has a passion and extensive knowledge of Chicago City and the types of architecture.

The tour takes in three tributaries that run between many of the buildings and takes approximately ninety minutes. We get to see Trump Tower, The Wrigley Building, Willis Tower and Boeing Headquarters building to name a few.

There is an amazing collection of styles and designs from the early 19th century up to the present day which all soar up into the sky, each newer one trying to be taller and more impressive than the last, this makes the skyline of the city very interesting.

After our cruise and a spot of lunch overlooking the water we get the train to Sedgwick and walk from there to the old town area before ending up at North Avenue Beach on the shore of Lake Michigan.

It's been a real scorcher of a day here today with temperatures up into the 30's so we have a walk along the sandy beach and a paddle in the nice cool water to cool off.

Then we continue into Lincoln Park on the other side of the road which has a beautiful natural pond and wild planting around it and then on into Lincoln Park Zoo which is part of the park and free of charge.

In the Zoo they have Camels, kangaroos, Zebras, Lions, Tigers, Wolves Seals and a great Apes and Monkey enclosure which has an inside and outside viewing area.
Like everything else in Chicago it is well organised and beautifully laid out.

From here we head back into another part of the park which has a botanical greenhouse with beautiful formal gardens and rest awhile whilst enjoying an ice cream.

We then head back to our hotel and freshen up before heading out for some food just round the corner from our hotel. Andrew orders a small size pizza and when it comes it is definitely not small. It is cut into eight large slices and Andrew manages four.

For my meal I have two chicken breasts covered in melted cheese with a tomato sauce and pasta but strangely they serve the pasta as a side dish, I also have a healthy salad with it. The food is lovely and very tasty but too much of it. Well that’s been another fun day and now it’s time for bed, again we are exhausted.

Day 4

Today is our last day and we have decided to take it a little easier today with a walk along the shore of Lake Michigan. We come to a lovely harbour which has a great view back to the city. On the edge of the harbour are some poles with nesting boxes on them which have been specially designed and installed here to provide a breeding habitat for Purple Martins. We stand and watch for a while as the parents bring back food to feed their young.

From here we continue along the shore line and end up at Osterman Beach which is a lovely bay with golden sand. At the far end of the beach is a small beach bar where we stop for some tacos for lunch.

Whilst we are there the owner starts to chat with us and tells us about a temple with lovely gardens further out of the city at Wilmette. He explains that we can catch a train from just round the corner from where we are to a place called Linden at the end of the line and then it’s just a five minute walk from the station at that end.

So after lunch we decide to do just that and go and have a look. It turns out to be easy to find and indeed it is a very impressive building surrounded with beautiful gardens and well worth the trip out to find it. The temple is dedicated to the Baha'i faith which apparently encompases all religions and tries to bring them together which is symbolised in the buildings architecture.

After spending a few hours here we have a walk down to the waterfront then back to catch the train back into the city and back to our hotel. It turned out to be quite another full on day, and our last in Chicago, tomorrow we head for New York.